Center for the Comparative Study of Metropolitan Growth

Deliberate, flexible, interdisciplinary planning helps urban centers thrive. Lawyers are central to this process, crafting workable laws and regulations alongside land-use planners, business leaders and engineers. The Center for the Comparative Study of Metropolitan Growth advances interdisciplinary dialogue and research on urban growth and management issues.

The center takes advantage of Georgia State’s location in Atlanta, one of the nation’s largest and fastest growing metropolitan areas. This prime location offers students an opportunity to explore the myriad issues affecting urban areas, and experience first-hand the legislative, regulatory and judicial actions affecting planning and growth management.

Through the Urban Fellows Program, study abroad opportunities and the foreign enrichment course – International Perspectives on Urban Law & Policy – students involved in the center’s programs are ready to be leaders in the law and regulation of the built and physical environment.

In addition to student-oriented programs, the center offers several opportunities for professional development including an annual international, weeklong workshop called Study Space, and regular conferences and lectures on urban, environmental and growth management topics.

Our graduates are ready to be leaders of law and regulation in built and physical environments.

The Center for the Comparative Study of Metropolitan Growth advances interdisciplinary dialogue, academic exchanges, and research related to challenges facing the physical and built environment in Atlanta and around the world

The center achieves its mission by sponsoring the Urban Fellows Program, the summer legal and policy study, foreign enrichment courses, and Study Space workshop. Additionally, the center organizes and sponsors symposia and speakers on urban and growth management issues.

The Metro Growth Center takes advantage of the fact that Georgia State University is in Atlanta, one of the nation’s fastest growing cities. This prime location offers students an opportunity to explore the myriad issues affecting urban areas, and experience firsthand the legislative and judicial actions affecting planning and growth management. Students involved in the Metro Growth Center’s programs are ready to serve as leaders in the law and regulation of the built and physical environment.

Behind Our Name

Comparative Study
The center takes a comprehensive approach to studying urban and growth management issues by comparing, learning from and improving upon experiences in other countries. According to the United Nations, more than 50 percent of the world’s population lives in and around cities, yet the problems of growth are often studied in isolation. The center seeks to fill this void.

Metropolitan Growth
The center’s focus extends well beyond the urban core to include all of the areas that comprise today’s urban landscape: suburbs, suburbanizing fringe, “edge” and satellite cities.